South Carolina is an excellent football team. The Gamecocks beat a Georgia squad, which scared Alabama in the SEC title game, by four touchdowns. They lost to another squad, which nearly beat Alabama, LSU, by just two points on the road. South Carolina's only other loss was at fourth-ranked Florida.

Michigan has done some very good things since Brady Hoke became head coach before the 2011 season. What the Wolverines haven't done is beat a team the caliber of South Carolina away from Michigan Stadium. And, please, don't confuse South Carolina with Virginia Tech last year. Sure, it was a BCS bowl, but there is no comparison between the SEC and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia Tech was vastly overrated going into the Sugar Bowl vs. UM. If anything, South Carolina, which finished ahead of the Wolverines in both major polls at the end of last season, is underrated. Although Marcus Lattimore, a great running back for South Carolina, who suffered a devastating knee injury, is out, the Gamecock haven't lost since he was sidelined.

Against Alabama, Michigan's offensive line was badly overmatched. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney might be the best defensive player in the nation. What about Notre Dame Mante Te'o? Well, if Clowney were eligible for the NFL Draft, he would likely be the first overall pick. Even though he is a defensive player, Clowney is being projected to win the Heisman Trophy next season.

Michigan has much to prove. Although they have yet to win the Legend's Division under Hoke, the Wolverines have done relatively well in the conference. A 12-4 Big Ten record in two seasons is nothing to dismiss, especially coming in the aftermath of being 8-16 in the conference during the three years of Rich Rodriguez's tenure.

But Michigan's goal is to move above Big Ten goals, even if it is understood they remain first on the list. That means making a mark nationally in games like the one Monday against a highly-regarded SEC opponent.

Michigan had two, major national games this year (Alabama and Notre Dame). Each was outside the comfort zone of the Big House where Hoke's teams have yet to lose. They performed poorly in both.

The Big Ten's reputation has waned through the years, but the conference symbolized mediocrity more than ever in '12. Ohio State, not participating in the postseason because of its troubles during Jim Tressel's tenure, wasn't that impressive, despite its unbeaten record (remember how a bad version of Cal should have beaten the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium, a one-point victory at MSU, an overtime win over Purdue and a three-point victory over Indiana?).Yet, the Buckeyes were, by far, the best team in the Big Ten this season.

Nebraska lost to UCLA. Wisconsin was beaten by Oregon State. Penn State lost to Ohio (not Brady Hoke's "Ohio," but The Ohio "Not State" University in Athens with former Tiger Mickey Tettleton's kid at quarterback) and Virginia.

What was the Big Ten's signature non-conference victory? It might have been Michigan State's over Boise State what seems like eons ago. In a way, Michigan is carrying the torch for the Big Ten this bowl season. Do you honestly believe Nebraska, on the heels of giving up 70 points to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game (the Cornhuskers also allowed 63 to Ohio State) is going to beat Georgia? That is the only other SEC-Big Ten bowl matchup.

The Wolverines can change a lot of perception - about themselves and the Big Ten - with a win Monday.